Lancang-Mekong Pilot Project Improves Lao Rural Water Supply

The Lancang-Mekong drinking water demonstration project was recently delivered to Hatkeep Village in the downstream area of the Nam Ou 2 Hydropower Plant in Laos.

Financially supported by the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Special Fund, the project both improves local water supply capacity and provides a typical model and technologies to guarantee safe water supply in rural areas.

The project included construction of a new water source and water supply pipelines, renovation of the old water source, points and pipelines, building of a large-scale central water treatment plant, and installation of 10 sets of small-sized water treatment facilities in neighboring villages and schools.

The Nam Ou hydropower project was the first of its kind to be developed by Power Construction Corporation of China.

Containing seven cascade plants, it has a total installed capacity of more than 1.27 million kilowatts and a current annual power output of about 5 billion kilowatt-hours.

The project is scheduled to be fully operational in 2021 and is expected to act as a major hydropower energy base in northern Laos.

Once fully up to speed, the project will greatly improve local traffic and accommodation and will boost the country's economic and social development.

(Executive editor: Niu Yilin)